Tokyo (April 9, 2010) - Bridgestone Corporation was honored to receive a courtesy call at its headquarters on April 8 from H.E. Mr. Yves Leterme, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium,. During the visit, the Prime Minister met with Shoshi Arakawa, Chairman of the Board, CEO and President, and several other Bridgestone executives.

The Prime Minister is visiting Japan from April 7 to 10 in order to attend multiple events and meetings, including the inauguration ceremony for the newly constructed Embassy of Belgium in Tokyo. The Prime Minister's visit to Bridgestone's headquarters reflects the close relationship between Belgium and Bridgestone, which has its European regional headquarters, Bridgestone Europe NV/SA, located in Brussels, the nation's capital. The company's significant ties to Belgium were further in evidence on October 7, 2009, when Arakawa was awarded the most prestigious Belgium order, the Commander of the Order of Leopold.

After the meeting, the Prime Minister visited the Bridgestone Museum of Art, which was established by Bridgestone's founder Shojiro Ishibashi. The museum houses a world-renowned collection of impressionist art, as well as other remarkable artifacts and other works of art.